Josh
LLOOOOONG story short, I proposed to my wife there! Great memory :)
This month, Kentucky American Water will give the people of Lexington a gift. Jacobson Park.
Welcome to kyamericanwatermemories.com. If you’re here, it’s because you have a memory of Jacobson Park to share – and we hope you do. The park has been a treasure to Lexington for approximately 40 years, and we at Kentucky American Water are proud to donate such a valuable gift to the people of Lexington. We will transfer the deed to the park and Lakeside Golf Course to the city of Lexington in January. To mark this occasion, we’re celebrating by looking back even as we look forward.
Thanks for sharing your memories.
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Tom Shields
After the divorce, of my parents in 1971, my maternal Uncle took me under his wing. We spent many days at the park. One time he hung a catfish that was HUGE! But he had soo many poles out he cut the wrong line!!! The biggest Large Mouth Bass I ever caught was there ( 5# )!!!
There is so many stories I could share about that Park but not enough time or space here.
I just hope other young kids have similar memerories as mine.
RIP Alex Preston, I miss you!
Johnny Wyatt
My daughter Amanda and I went fishing one day and when it got time to go we had some minnows left, she wanted to take them home but when we got there her mother said no! so I took them to Jacobson park and turned them loose . That was about 12 years ago but every time we go by the park we talk about them and wonder if their babys are still swimming there!
Dana S.
When I got my 1968 Firebird convertible in 1974 I would go to the park on Sunday afternoons to wax it. Friends from Henry Clay would stop by to say hello and lend a hand. Good memories there.
Craig Whitney
As fate would have it, we met on a beach in Naples Florida. We were both on a short vacation, I from the Arizona desert and she from the bluegrass of Kentucky. During the whirlwind three days spent together, we fell in love flying the hull on a Hobie Cat. I changed my flight so as to fly home to Phoenix via Lexington. We were young and both short on funds so a late evening drive through Jacobson Park was a great way to soak up her company. We parked her car at the foot of a dock, walked to the end and enjoyed the last twilight in close embrace. A small pickup pulled up and a man shouted something from the window. Being too far away, what he said was unintelligible and we were too involved too care. The sun finally dipped below the horizon and the chill in the air made the call to depart. We soon learned what the man was saying, “the park was closing.” The main gate was shut and chained and we were now the parks sole inhabitants. Her car was a Honda Civic and as we soon found out it had the ability to traverse every inch of that park, pavement or not. We finally found a small gate on one fence line that was chained, locked and wrapped in vines but not too visible. I dug through her trunk and found an old hacksaw blade left there from a previous speaker installation. We laughed, sawed, tugged and laughed again and with persistence, broke free of our bond. We were married under an oak tree in that park thirty days later. That was 29 years and two kids through college ago. Jacobson Park will be forever in our memory!
William Faust
My wife and I were married in Jacobson Park on May 20, 1982 by the Rev. Byron Jessup. We were wed on the waterfront with a little boat dock in the background. It was raining from both directions coming up to the park that day, but not in the park itself. I remember a stray duck walking down the isle right in front of my wife, as if it were part of the ceremony. We had many guests who picnicked in the park after the ceremony. We are still together, almost 29 years later!
Teresa
My daughter had her driver's permit, but had not yet mastered the clutch on the 5-speed Jeep Cherokee. Didn't take long to conclude that Jacobson Park may not have been the best choice for learning!
Alicia Matthews
Before my late husband, Bill, and I were married in 1992, we used to walk almost daily around Jacobson Park. We enjoyed the quiet, peaceful, and sometimes breathtaking beauty of the park. One day as we were just finishing our walk, we noticed two limos pull up just at the edge of the lake. A whole bridal party got out and when everyone had taken their places the minister began the wedding ceremony. We just stopped in our tracks and watched. It was the most romantic moment. Soon afterward, Bill was transferred to Washington, D.C. On the morning he left, we went out to the park for our last walk and carved our initials into the bridge railing....I don't know if they are still there, but I will go there soon to see. Bill and I were married on May 31,1992 and he passed away on May 27, 2007. I have since moved back to the Lexington area. I will always hold fond memories of Jacobson Park in my heart!!!!
Dana Saretsky
One day, back in the summer of '83, my family and I went to Jacobson Park and rented a paddleboat. The "men" of the family paddled the boat out onto the lake, while us "women" rode behind them. It was one of those beautiful summer days in July, and Mom snapped one of our favorite photos of me leaning on my dad while he paddled. Dad passed away back in January, 2010, but I will always treasure the photo Mom took, and that wonderful time spent with my family at the park.
Ray G
We moved to Somerset Kentucky in the spring of 1978. I had built a model of a sailing ship and when visiting Lexington one day I sailed the ship on the lake at Jacobson Park. In 2009 I built a 1:24 scale model of HMS Surprise, a square rigger Man-O-War from the 17th century and I again sailed on the lake with this new ship. we think the lake is absolutely wonderful.
A Few Other Ways We Give Back.
H20 – Help to Others Program
A helping hand for low income customers unable to pay their water bills. Click here to learn more.
Kentucky American Water Science Fair
Now the district-level science fair for Fayette County public, private and home school students, the experimental event we initiated in 1985 has grown from 20 students to nearly 700. To see this year’s winners, click here.
Reforest the Bluegrass
Hundreds of volunteers plant thousands of tree seedlings by urban streams, we’ve been a leading corporate sponsor for this annual event for more than 10 years.
Environmental Grant Program
We help fund the efforts of community organizations to protect their watersheds and educate their friends and neighbors.
Ripple Effect Scholarship program
Every year, we award up to 5 scholarships to high school seniors with great grades – and a great passion to protect the environment.
Arbor Day
We are a leading corporate sponsor of Arbor Day at the Arboretum. Click here to read more.
River Sweep
Not only do we sponsor this annual stream cleanup event held through the Ohio River valley, but our employees and their families roll up their sleeves and clean the banks of the Kentucky River at Fort Boonesboro State Park. To volunteer, click here.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ducky Spin to Win
When the little rubber ducks come out to play to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, we’re right behind them, year after year..
Triangle Park Fountains
We love Lexington’s iconic fountains as much as anybody, so it’s our pleasure to contribute annually to Triangle Park’s operating costs. Find out the latest news here.
Children’s Dental Health Week
Say cheese! Supporting Children’s Dental Health Week at the Explorium every year makes our employees smile.
Downtown Lexington’s Great American Cleanup
We enjoy helping keep our downtown clean and green by lending support with this annual litter cleanup effort.
McConnell Springs
Kentucky American Water is pleased to have been a leading sponsor for the the education center at McConnell Springs that bears our name, and continues to support Founders’ Day and other Springs initiatives at this site where Lexington was named.
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
We helped provide funds for educational displays in the wonderful new facilities to teach the young and old alike about watershed protection.
Bluegrass Technical and Community College’s Environmental Science Program
We provide scholarship dollars to college students in this program who need financial assistance.
Clyde E. Buckley Wildlife Nature Sanctuary
Kentucky American Water has been a long-time supporter of this nature sanctuary in Franklin County, sponsoring the bird blind and other educational programming. For more information, click here.
